Chapter 53: Evidence

"Xiang Yingtian, stop resisting stubbornly. You are no match for me."

Yun Zhonghe approached at a measured pace, and with each step, the aura radiating from him grew stronger. By the time he stood before Xiang Yingtian, his presence had reached its peak, pressing down like a mountain, making it hard to breathe.

"Confess honestly to the crimes you committed years ago. Perhaps, if you admit your guilt sincerely, they might spare your life."

Xiang Yingtian shook his numb arm and retorted, "You accuse me of betraying my master and ancestors, but that’s just empty words. You need real evidence."

Yun Zhonghe gazed at Xiang Yingtian for a long moment, his expression inscrutable, then let out a chilling laugh. "Since you refuse to repent even at the brink of death, then let me make sure you die understanding why."

He raised his voice, "Fu Hongxue, it’s your turn now."

At these words, the crowd burst into commotion.

"Fu Hongxue—he’s here too?!"

Eyes swept the surroundings, searching for Fu Hongxue’s figure.

Just then, the sound of a blade being drawn drew everyone's attention. Looking up, they saw a figure stepping on the blade, advancing from the horizon, growing closer with every stride. Under countless watchful gazes, he landed on the dueling stage, lifted his blade, and pointed it directly at Xiang Yingtian, murderous intent surging.

"Xiang Yingtian, prepare to meet your end!"

Xiang Yingtian was taken aback by Fu Hongxue’s sudden appearance. Unaware that Fu Hongxue now knew the truth, he continued to twist the facts. "Hongxue, don’t fall for that villain’s scheme. He’s trying to drive a wedge between us, uncle and nephew."

He pointed at Yun Zhonghe, his gaze icy, his voice harsh. "Fellow martial artists, join me in striking down this villain!"

After his earlier battle with Yun Zhonghe, he was well aware of the latter’s unfathomable martial skills—far beyond what he alone could handle. Thus, he called on the others to attack together. No matter how skilled Yun Zhonghe was, he could not escape death in the end.

With Xiang Yingtian’s approval, chaos erupted among the crowd below.

Yun Zhonghe, however, showed no sign of panic; he had come well prepared for this very day.

"Elder Hong, please intercept them," he said, bowing to Hong Qigong.

Seeing this, Hong Qigong shook his head helplessly. Now he finally understood why Yun Zhonghe had insisted on bringing him to the martial gathering—for this very moment.

He, too, wanted to know the truth behind the disappearance of the Misty Wave Wanderer—whether things were truly as Yun Zhonghe claimed.

Without further hesitation, he leapt onto the stage.

"Everyone, remain calm. If Yun Zhonghe presents evidence, it proves his words are true. If he cannot, I, the old beggar, will not let him go!"

The crowd exchanged glances, and silence fell over the scene.

"Since even Elder Hong has spoken, let’s see what Yun Zhonghe can produce."

"Hero Xiang’s upright character fears no slander. Let him confront Yun Zhonghe directly."

"There are so many of us here—Yun Zhonghe cannot escape!"

On the stage, the smile on Xiang Yingtian’s lips froze at Hong Qigong’s unexpected intervention. He had intended to use the crowd to kill Yun Zhonghe, after which he could dictate the story as he pleased—the dead would not speak. Yet he had underestimated Yun Zhonghe’s resourcefulness; somehow, the man had persuaded the once-renowned master, Hong Qigong, to speak on his behalf.

Hong Qigong’s status in the martial world surpassed even Xiang Yingtian’s; his words were enough to sway the crowd.

Hong Qigong glanced meaningfully at Yun Zhonghe, then at the grim and silent Xiang Yingtian. "If you have evidence, present it now," he said, then jumped off the stage, leaving the space to the three.

A smile bloomed on Yun Zhonghe’s face. "Thank you for your assistance, Master Hong."

He turned to Xiang Yingtian, the smile fading, his voice cold. "You’ve played all your tricks; now it’s my turn."

"Do you recognize this?"

Yun Zhonghe opened his palm, revealing several steel needles coated with deadly poison.

Xiang Yingtian’s expression shifted—weren’t these the very silver needles he had used in his failed sneak attack on Yun Zhonghe? How had they ended up in Yun Zhonghe’s possession?

The crowd stared in bewilderment at the needles, recalling Yun Zhonghe’s accusation of Xiang Yingtian’s treachery. Could it be true?

As doubt began to creep through the assembly, Xiang Yingtian sneered, "What proof do you have that these needles are mine?"

Indeed.

The crowd realized—the weapon wasn’t found on Xiang Yingtian; it couldn’t serve as evidence.

"I knew you wouldn’t admit it. No matter, I have other proof."

Yun Zhonghe let the needles fall from his hand.

Clang! The sound of steel striking the ground echoed like a hammer on Xiang Yingtian’s heart, filling him with inexplicable dread.

"Let us bring out the elder as a witness. Let’s see how you explain yourself then."

Fu Hongxue nodded, his eyes brimming with killing intent, never leaving Xiang Yingtian, ready to strike should he try to flee.

At these words, Xiang Yingtian’s face turned ashen, panic reaching its zenith.

The crowd, too, was stunned.

"Grandmaster, please show yourself and cleanse our honored house!"

Fu Hongxue’s voice rang out.

Moments later, a black figure streaked swiftly across the ground and then leapt onto the stage.

At last, the crowd saw him clearly. He was limbless, writhing across the floor like a serpent, with white hair spilling down, obscuring his face.

"My good disciple, you never dreamed that your master would still be alive!" The man’s gaze landed on Xiang Yingtian, eyes aflame with boundless hatred.

His first words left everyone in utter disbelief, a chill rising from the soles of their feet to the crown of their heads.

This old man, forced to crawl like a snake, was none other than the legendary Misty Wave Wanderer—rumored to have retired from the martial world more than a decade ago!